[Grammar] [A/The] cheetah runs the fastest of all the land animals

[naweewra]

Hello,

I have learned that both "a" and "the" can be used as a generalised determiner, with a slight difference. In this sentence, is one better than the other?

The cheetah runs the fastest of all the land animals.

A cheetah runs the fastest of all the land animals.

Thank you.

Nawee

 

[emsr2d2]

In that context, I would use "The", though "A" is not wrong.

I would say "The cheetah is the fastest of all the land animals" rather than using "runs the fastest".

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello,

I have learned that both "a" and "the" can be used as a generalised determiner, with a slight difference. In this sentence, is one better than the other?

The cheetah runs the fastest of all the land animals.

A cheetah runs the fastest of all the land animals.

Thank you.

Nawee

I agree with emsr. "A" cheetah means an individual cheetah or a typical cheetah. "The" cheetah refers to the species as a whole. In your sentence there is little difference, but in other contexts the difference can be significant.

"I heard that a cheetah was hit by a car." (one unknown cheetah)
"I saw a cheetah in the zoo. While I was there, the cheetah ate a rabbit. (a specific cheetah)